In Conclusion

We’re home and have almost finished cleaning the boat ready for the next trip!

We had a great time and here are a few notes and observations:

Holland

Holland is great and we’ll definitely return as we’ve only explored a tiny part of it!

It’s a bit of a pain getting there, but it’s a bit of a pain getting anywhere from Eastbourne, and when before did an East Wind last so long ??

Once there, the marinas are less expensive and in fact many of the islands are free, and the weather has much less impact…  so it’s  a great place to sail.

Motoring

There’s a lot of motoring involved but the trusty Yanmar performed well and the extra sound insulation I added seemed to make a difference.
The only breakdown was the propshaft – but that was just bad luck.

Towns

Some of the smaller places we visited – and were advised not to bother with – like Veere and Wemeldinge were at least as good or even better than the larger places.
It’s worth taking the time to visit everywhere.

Flies

How do they find a boat out at sea?

Do they spy it from land and head out deliberately or are they cruising 3 or 4 miles offshore on the off chance?

It’s a cruel irony that the last thing many flies will ever see is a friendly, smiling face (the fly swatter, not Lynn!) coming rapidly towards them .. rather like the whale in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy 🙂

Locks

The large locks with the inset bollards were a bit of a challenge!
Boat hooks tended to get stuck and if you miss with a line it’s a real problem.
Eventually we decided that attaching an amidships breast line to one of the ladders and then drifting backwards and forwards to the bollards worked best… usually!

Box Berths

After all the warnings and demonisation, in the end they weren’t too bad at all.
Once you’re secured there is no fender squeeking and I got to quite like them.
Also watching people struggle over their bow, especially after a few drinks, was a great source of amusement – as indeed we probably were for others!

Recouperation

On our return my long awaited Free Bus Pass had arrived!! Hurrah!!
I’m looking forward to happy days hogging the front seat upstairs armed with flask and sandwiches as I prepare for the next voyage in September.

More…

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So thanks for following and…  Don’t Touch That Dial !!!